New Motherboard - can't find one (yet)

[NugentS]

I am planning on upgrading my server for a number of reasons. The server runs the host OS and between 3 & 5 other VM machines at any one time. Its currently running an AMD 3800+ in 4 GB of memory.

I'm planning on buying a Quad Core low end Intel CPU (Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q6600) and replacing (obviously the mobo)

I will have a PCIe (x8) card to plug into the mobo (RAID card) and would like some spare slots as well to play with.

Am I correct in saying that although most mobo manufacturers mark the PCIe (x16) slots as graphics I can use them as something else (RAID card) so an SLI board - I could put 2 RAID cards (PCIe (x8)) into whilst either using PCI graphics OR onboard graphics (maybe I am unlikely to find onboard video and SLI).

So I guess I am looking for the following spec:

SLI (2nd slot x8 is fine) preferably with onboard graphics????

Supports Q6600

Supports 8GB memory (4 slots is fine)

Spare PCIe (x1) & PCI slots

SATA II Support (RAID not required)

As little extra functionality as possible preferably without sound, raid, masses of usb, firewiire spdif etc

Suggestions please guys?

Sean

Does not need to be an overclocker

 

[NugentS]

But will be on 24*7

Sean

 

[JN]

In all honesty I'm not totally sure about the PCI-E slots. I had a similar problem where I had a PCI-E x1 wifi card and no slot to put it in. SO i shoved it in one of the x16 slots. It was detected by windows and seemed to work, but often acted really wierd (disappearing from device manager etc), so i'm not sure :s

 

[nrage]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express

"PCIe slots come in a variety of sizes referred to by the maximum lane count they support. A larger card will not fit in a smaller slot but a smaller card can be used in a larger slot. The number of lanes actually connected may be smaller than the number supported by the slot size. While a 16 lane card cannot be used in an 8 lane slot it can be used in a 16 lane slot with only 8 lanes connected. The number of lanes are "negotiated" during power-up or explicitly during operation."

This might help in finding a board:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_chipsets#9xx_Chipsets_and_x3x_Chipsets

G965 looks like a good option, so maybe:

http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/DG965WH/index.htm

 

[NugentS]

And of course I have changed my spec

I now need 2 * PCIe slots - 1 @ X4, the other @ X8 and I suppose an X1 would ne nice as a spare slot as well...



Sean

 

[jabski]

Does not need to be an overclocker

oh

wonder if theres a server3d.net lol